Chelsea have reportedly clinched a deal to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Blues are set to add the Argentina attacking midfielder to their ranks after missing out on the signing of Netherlands international Xavi Simons, who completed a move to Tottenham on Friday.
Buonanotte had looked set to join Leeds United, but will now make the temporary move to Stamford Bridge on a deal that does not include an option to sign the 20-year-old on a permanent deal.
However, it is understood Chelsea will be given the opportunity to match future bids for Buonanotte.
Buonanotte signed for Brighton in 2023 from Rosario Central. He spent last season on loan at Leicester City and was a bright spot for the Foxes as they suffered relegation to the Championship, scoring six goals and providing three assists in all competitions.
Now he joins Chelsea as one of his team-mates gets set to take a controversial step towards potentially doing so in the future.
Enciso set for Strasbourg
Julio Enciso is also poised to leave Brighton, with the forward set to complete a move to Strasbourg.
It is a transfer that has attracted criticism, as Strasbourg are also owned by Todd Boehly’s BlueCo consortium.
Centre-back Mamadou Sarr made the move from Strasbourg to Chelsea earlier in the transfer window and, though Enciso will reportedly sign a contract until 2030 with the Ligue 1 side, it is expected that he will eventually follow the same path.
The Paraguay international joined Brighton in 2022 but spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town as they were relegated to the Championship. Enciso scored twice and provided three assists for Ipswich.
